Topic by OrganoPleno

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Topic: Max Reger Does Beethoven

Opus 86 by Max Reger (1904): Variationen und Fuge über ein Thema von Beethoven, für zwei Klaviere zu vier Händen.

Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Beethoven, for Two Pianos and Four Hands.

This is Reger's first major composition for two Grand Pianos.  Following the simple Statement of Beethoven's Theme, we have twelve Variations in different Musical Styles, followed by a Grand Fugue.  As the Fugue approaches its Conclusion, the Theme itself enters once again.

For this "All-Digital" Performance, I played the part of both Klaviers, with a little help from Reaper.

Klavier I uses the Steinway D, "Classical Recording BA".
Klavier II uses the Steinway D, "Classical Recording AB".
For both Klaviers the Reverb was set to "Large Hall".
Using Pianoteq version 6.2.1.

The original WAV File can be played or downloaded at
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AmrhLSlHbnZlgSDnWc8dGPFnvwxb

Enjoy!

Last edited by OrganoPleno (25-09-2018 01:03)

Reply by sjgcit

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Re: Max Reger Does Beethoven

This was very interesting,  didn't know of this music.  Thanks.

The volume on the file is very low so maybe you need to adjust that a little next recording.

For distribution you might consider using MP3 rather than WAV - WAV is for desktop work in progress, MP3 and MP4 is for distribution as it's generally smaller in size.

StephenG

Reply by OrganoPleno

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Re: Max Reger Does Beethoven

sjgcit wrote:

The volume on the file is very low so maybe you need to adjust that a little next recording.

Thanks for the Pointer.  You are absolutely right!

It turns out that I had the sound turned way down (18dB!) to protect my ears when using headphones.  But then recording it that way left me wondering why it sounded so much weaker on my desktop speakers.

Now I just unplug the headphones while recording, and take PianoTeq at its natural intensity.  Also, the regular Reverb turns out to be quite adequate.  Increasing the Reverb further just diminishes the Direct sound and makes the Pianos seem too far away... like listening from the rear of the Concert Hall instead of right by the Stage.

Doing it this way results in a WAV file that will not be reduced in quality when converted to MP-3... and in an MP-4 file suitable to be shared... when the opportunity is right.

Thanks again for the good ideas!

Reply by OrganoPleno

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Re: Max Reger Does Beethoven

Please see my new Video Recording, just posted yesterday as a Contest Entry at:
https://www.forum-pianoteq.com/viewtopic.php?id=5991

The original WAVE file will no longer be available.

For this new Recording, the Default Settings were used for volume and reverb.  Stereo width was boosted to 2.00, and with the DAW Host (Cantabile) I used a slight panning effect, moving Klavier I to the left and Klavier II to the right, just enough to slightly enhance the difference between the two instruments.

Last edited by OrganoPleno (10-10-2018 23:37)

Reply by Gaston

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Re: Max Reger Does Beethoven

Awesome performance!
Especially since you played the two pianos successively and not together with another pianist ! What a precision work !
And a magnificent opus by Max Reger, whom I didn't know. Thanks for the discovery !

Gérard Delassus
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